Blog Archive

Sunday, 26 April 2009

Swine Flu Outbreak

The news from Mexico are alarming, at least. The global scientific community is very concerned with the rapid development of events in that part of the world. First of all it is important to keep in mind that panic is our worst enemy. It is true that an influenza pandemic is possible nevertheless, we must remain calm. It is imperative that information about this matter should flood the internet in order to create a spherical and scientific based awareness to all.

BBC News

Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic'

A new flu virus suspected of killing at least 60 people in Mexico has the potential to become a pandemic, the World Health Organization's chief says.

Margaret Chan said the outbreak was a "health emergency of international concern" and must be closely monitored.

Health experts say tests so far seem to link the illnesses in Mexico with a swine flu virus in the southern US.

Several people have also fallen ill in the US, and the authorities there are watching the situation.A top US health official said the strain of swine flu had spread widely and could not be contained.Ms Chan cut short a visit to the US and returned to Geneva where the WHO's emergency committee met.

The committee can recommend declaring an international public health emergency and raise the global pandemic alert level - a move that could lead to travel advisories, trade restrictions and border closures.

The WHO says it does not know the full risk yet but it quoted Mrs Chan as saying that "the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern".

It is advising all member states to be vigilant for seasonally unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms among their populations - particularly among young healthy adults.

Officials said most of those killed so far in Mexico were young adults - rather than more vulnerable children and the elderly.... (full article here)